The state House adopted a measure on Wednesday aimed at eliminating wasteful earmarks and ensuring taxpayer dollars are spent responsibly. State Rep. Gina Johnsen (R-Portland) voted in favor of the resolution, reinforcing efforts to hold state government accountable and bring greater transparency to the budget process.

“For too long, taxpayer money has been funneled into projects with little oversight or explanation,” Johnsen said. “The people of Michigan deserve better. Every dollar in our state budget should be spent with transparency, accountability, and a clear benefit to the public—not hidden in backroom deals.”

House Resolution 14 addresses longstanding budget concerns by establishing stricter oversight of taxpayer-funded projects. It ensures every expenditure has a defined purpose, measurable public benefit, and full transparency. The resolution prevents earmarks for for-profit businesses and strengthens accountability measures for nonprofits to verify their legitimacy and community impact. Additionally, it eliminates last-minute budget insertions and secretive deals by requiring all funding requests to be submitted in advance and thoroughly reviewed.

“This is about restoring trust in how our state spends taxpayer money,” Johnsen said. “People work too hard for their tax dollars to be wasted on pet projects and politically motivated deals. We must ensure every cent is used to serve Michigan families, not special interests.”

Rep. Johnsen remains committed to making government spending more transparent, accountable, and responsible. With the adoption of HR 14, the House has taken a critical step toward ensuring taxpayer dollars are used wisely and for the benefit of all Michiganders.

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